Currency-cutting machine.



L. H. COLBURN & F. P. CLARKE CURRENCY CUTTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 2, 1912,

1,044,990,, Fatented Nov 19, 1912.

5 SHEETS-SHEET l.

\ViTNESSEIi NVENTOR LESLIE H, CCU. BURN E FREDERICK CLARKE '15 ATTORNEY L. H. COLBURN & 1?. F. CLARKE. CURRENCY CUTTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 2, 1912 5 SHEETSSHEET 2 Ill F'IGE NVENTOR ussus H. :o1..-sur=u-# FREDERICK F CLARKE Patented Nov. 19, 1912.

L. H. CQLBURN & F. F. GLARKB.

CURRENCY CUTTING MACHINE.

APiLIOATIOH FILED APR. 2, 1912.

: 1,44,9Q0. Patented Nov. 19, 1912.

5 SHEETSSHEET 3.

WiTNESSES 63G 6 I mvsm'ons ja T LESLIE H. COL-BURN BY -msoamcrm: CLARKE ATTORNEY L. U COLBURN & F. F. CLARKE. CURRENCY CUTTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR.2, 1912.

i- FREDERICK F CL! HKF BY aw km v ATTORNEY Nd L 5 SHEETS-SHEET 4Q INVENTOR5/ LESLIE H. coLBU Patented Nov. 19, 1912.

L. H. GOLBURN & F. P. CLARKE.

CURRENCY CUTTING MACHINE. APPLVICATIOH FILED APR. 2, 1912.

Patented Nov. 19,1912.

5 SEEETSBHEBT 6.

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nirr.

T oration.

LESLIE H. COLIBUEN AND FREDERICK F. CLARKE, OF FRANKLIN, PENNSYLVANIA.

CURRENCY-CUTTING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patenti Application filed April 2, 1912. Serial No. 688,090.

To all whom it may concern;

Be it known that we, LESLIE H. Conncnx and Finamamcn F. CLARKE, citizens of the United States, residing at Franklin, in the county of Venango and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain ne and useful improvements in Currency-Cuttmg hlachines, of which the following is a specification.

The object, construction and (.iperation of our invention are herein set forth with stillicient clearness to enable those skilled in the art to which it appertains, to make and use the same. I

The object of our invention is, to provide a machine for use in banks, whereby bank notes, as they come in sheets from the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, may be cut into the individual notes or bills, and at the same time printed with a facsimile of the signature of the proper oflicials of the issuing bank, upon said bills.

The construction of our improved cun rency-cutting and signature-printing machine, is herein fully described, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof,-the various fig ures of which areas follows Figure l is a front elevation of our com-- plete machine. Fig. 2 is a plan view of same, with portions broken away to show the. construction more clearly. Figs. 3 and l are details of the printing nnchanism. Fig. 4") is an end elevation. Fig. (3 is a vertical section on line VI Vi of Fig. 7. Fig 7 is a central vertical section on line VII VII of Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a detail of the paperclamping device. Fig. 9 shows the cylinder removed from the frame, two of the collars being shown in section, and a portion of the barrel-wall.broken away at one end for the purpose of giving a clear idea of certain of the related mechanism. Fig. 10 shows a small portion of one end of the barrel, also a collar in section, together with the mechanism whereby the collars are adjusted longitudinally upon the cylinders. Fig. ll is a detail.

The same reference characters are applied to identical parts in all the views.

Before entering into a. detailed description of the construction and operation of our improved currency-cutting and signaturepriating machine, it is believed that such description will be more readily .understood, if

the construction is first set forth in general terms.

As currency or bank notes are received by the issuing banks, from the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, they are in sheets comprising four bills each; these must be cut into the individual notes and signed by the proper oflicials of said issuing bank, before they are issued. Our machine is designed for the four bills all at one operation and trim the outside edges of the same, also print in the proper place a facsimile of said signatures, if desired.

The essential feature of our machine conof a revolublecylinder, composed of a. barrel upon which five rings or collars are mo unted, all of which, with the exception of the central one, are adjustable longitudi nally of said barrel, for the purpose of adapting our machine t0 certain variations of width of bills, which appear to exist between bills of various denominations. Cooperating with said collars, are five edged disks or knives, which sever the bills as they are carried around by said cylinder.--suitable clamping devices being provided for this purpose, upon the periphery of said cylinder, which clamp the bills thereto. Said cylinder is revolubly mounted in a suitable frame, and provided with means: for manually revolving same. hiking devices are provided for automatically inking the signature-type; also suitable means for adjusting said collars.

In detail, the construction here shown is as follows:.\ cylinder, which the main element of our machine-see Fig. 9, consists of a barrel 1, composed preferably of a suitable piece of pipe or tubing, and in each end of this, is rigidly secured a head 2. 3 respec tively. Upon the outside of said barrel are placed a number of collars l, 5, 6, 7, 8, all of which, with the exception of (3, are lon 'itudina l v adjustable upon barrel 1. the means whereby said collars are adjusted is clearly shown in Figs. 9 and 10, and consists of the following details: A rod 9 passes centrally through the cylinder, and at suitable points, corresponding to the positions of collars t, 5, 7, 8, said rod is screw-threaded, and upon each of the screw-threaded portions is mounted a two-armed spider -5',7 and 8. The extremity of each arm of said spider projects into a slot 10 in the barrel 1, and

said extremities are each-provided with a tapped hole for the reception of a screw 11, by means of which the various collars 4, 5, 7, and S are attached/to their respective spiders, and by means of which said collars are adapted to be adjusted longitudinally upon the barrel 1. Collar 6 s not longitudinally adjustable, but is stationary upon said barrel; the collars t, 5, 7, S are adjustable tofor the purpose of revolving said red, when zuljustinenis oli said collars are to be made.

By a reference to Fig. '7, it will be noted that each spider is provided'with a bushing 13, through which rod 9 passes, and it is this bushing which int-breaded to cotip erate with the hreadsupon said nod 0. Each spider is also adjustable upon. its respective bushing, and when the desired relative adjustment has beensmznred between these two elements, a set-screw lid, Fig. 9,--which passes through the hub of the spider, and is arranged to .iear upon said bushing,-is tightened up, and said'adjustnient is thereby made perman nt and need not again be disturbed. A hole let is provided through the collars and the barrel, for the purpose of inserting a screw-driver to operate said screw let.

Several clamps are provided upon the cylinder, for the purpose of engaging the edges of the sheets which are to be cut. Said clamps and the i'nechai'lisin for actuating same, are follows, reference being had to either l .7, S or 9:lnasnnilch as all of said clamps are subshmtially identical. in coz'istruction, a description of one may be read upon any of them. A boss is rigidly and firmly inserted through the barrel 1, and a pin 16 passes loosely through said boss. Said pin 16 is provided upon its inner end with a head 17, againstwhich one end of a spiral spring 18 rests. To the outer end of pin 16 is secured a disk or washer 19, by ieans of a screw 20, Said washer is adaptcd'to scat upon the periphery of one ofthe collars l. 5, 6, etc, and the normal action of spring 18 is, to hold said washer firmly in contact with said periphery. For the purpose of actuating said clips, I provide a ."canrrod 2.1, which lmigitiulinally I /through the cylinder, and is movable end wise lllcrmu. ll] its respective ends proccting through the heads 2 and 3; one end of said rod being arranged to engage the lever of the crank 23, which serves to re .the cranlolever upon said.

continues until the cutting noeaeao volve the cylinder. Rod 21 is provided with a number of inclined cam-notches A, one of which is located beneath each clamp. A spiral spring 25 is attached atone end to rod 21 and at the other end to head 2, and the normal pull or action of said spring upon said rod, is toward head 2, or in the direction indicated by the arr'mv; said rod 21 is inoved in the opposite direction by the crank-lever which is pivoted between the lugs 26; The o 'ieration o't'said clamping dovices is as follows:--When the lower end of said handle 23 is moved outwarch as shown especially in 7 or 9, it causes said rod to move in the direction opposite to that indicated by the arrow in Fig. 1].; the notch 24- moves beneath pin 16, andv the action ot spring 18 moves pin 16. downward until the washcrjll) bears firmly upon the periphery of its respective ring, which periphery prch erably is slightly flattened at this point. to

torni a suilableseat forsaid washer and iusure a proper clamping action between the juxtaposed faces of said ring and wnsbcr. lVhen the crank-arm 23 moves inward, a movement of rod 21 in the direction indicated by the arrow in'liig. ll is caused by the spring 25, and the inclined face ot a. notch 24; impinges upon the juxtaposed end or head 17 of pin 16 and lifts the same from contact with its respective collar, as shown in Fig. 8, thus role: sing the engagement of the clamp from the paper.

Upon the frame end 27, a circular rib or cam 23' (see Fig. of somewhat more than a half-circle in extent, is provided, upon the outer face of which crardelever 23 impinges or travels it is turned; Saidv travel of cain begins as to revolve, and of the bills is soon thereafter, Said (M11 soon as tl'iecylinder starts.

complete, at which point, or said impingement discontinues.

is for the purpose of locking rod 21 in the position shown in Fig.

and against the action of spring 25,.wlnle the cutting is bcin-g' done, as otherwise lhepoperator might accidentally let the crauk-lu'uulle slip from his hand and the clamps would then rise and release the sheet before the operation was complete.

Each head 2, 3 is suitably formed into a bearin at 8, so that the cylinder may be revolubly mounted in the end pieces 27, 28 of a suitably constructed frame, which end pieces are secured together by means ot a crosspiece 29 and the piece 30 at the top.

' which piece 30 also'sersfcs another purpose,

that will presently beset forth.

Above the cylinder are mounted a mum;- bcr of edged c\dlii1g ,lisl s3]. each so arranged that it colipcrates with a lateral edge of one of [he (xillars. to produce a siuzaring; action, and together these two elements rooperate to cut the sheet of currency into I Said strip is for the purpose bills, as the sheet is carried around with th cylinder. Said disks 31 are revolubly mounted upon the shaft 32 and said shaft 32 is, in, turn, revolu'bly mounted in the end pieces 27 and 28. Each disk, with one except-ion, which will be readily noted), is continued at one side into a hub or roller 33, which is provided with a rubber periphcry or face 34, so thatthe same will form a suitable platen, against which the currency is pressed by the n-inting-type 35, when the facsimile signature is being print ed. Each disk 31 is pressed and retained. firmly against said lateral face of its respec tive coi'iperating collar, by means of a spiral spring 36 and through this arrangement, said disks are caused to revolve by 'friction alone, no other means being employed to cause their revolution.

In order to insure the proper release of the cut; notes from their respective collars 5, G, T and 8, or to prevent, for any reason, their adhesion thereto, so that they might be accidentally carried up into contact with or beneath the ink-roller 37, and thus become soiled with ink, we provide suitable guards or release-fingers, consisting of wires t5, the lower end of each of which is attached to the cross-piece 29, from whence it extends upward, and is then formed into an arch or return-bend, which causes the free end to extend somewhat dowi'nvard, and it then enters a narrow groove 46, one or more of which are formed in each of the collars of the cylinder, and being so positioned, it is impossible for the ends of the bills to pass by said guards. It should be here stated that, at the time the forward end of the bill reaches the guards 45, the cutting and printing has been completed and the clamps have automatically released their hold.

A suitable table 47 is attached to the frame of the machine, and its'front edge is positioned in close proximity to the cylinder, as shown in Figs. 2, 5 and (5. Said table is secured to the end pieces 2-7 and 28, of the frame, by means of the thumb-nuts 4S, and by removing these, the table may be readily removed for the purpose of ready access tothe parts beneath the same, and the cylindcr. To the front edge of said table is secured strip at), beneath which the sheet passes as it is operated upon; said strip isso positioned that there is but a narrow SHZICG between its lower face and table 47. of causing the sheetto lie fiat andto pass through the machine without buckling or wrinkling, thus insuring uniformity and accuracy in the width of the respective: bills. Strip 4-9 acts also to guide the sheet squarely under the clamps and flattens it out so that it will lie true upon the cylinder.

While we have here shown a currencycutting. and -signature-printing machine, we

do not wish it to be understood that we de sire at all times to confine ourselves to this precise combination, as the signature-ty 'ie and the inking-equioment therefor could be omitted,without departing from our inventive idea. i

The operation of our machine is as follows: A sheet of bank notes is placed upon the table 47 and moved forward until its forward edge passes under the washers or disks l9, and comes in contact with the pins 16, said washers and pins being in the position shown in- Fig. 8. Crank-lever 23 is then moved outward to the position shown in Fig. 7 and this causes said disks it) to do scend to the position shown in said Fig. T, and bear firmly uponthe sheet of notes and clamp the same between said disks and the peripheries of the collars 4r, 5, (5, T, 8; the crank is then turned, causing the "cylinder to revolve and carry the sheet with it, and as the sheet passes under the knives 31, it is cut into the individual notes or bills, and the edges of the two outside bills are also trimmed. At the same time, the signatures are printed upon the bills;

Shortly after the cutting and printing operation. is completed, the crank lever passes off from the circular cam 22-3. and spring 25 is allowed to act, and draw rod 21 in the direction indicated by the arrow. This causes the clamps it) to raise and release the bills, and if there is any tendency to adhere to the cylinder, they are removed tl'ierefrom by the guards -15. \Vhcn it is desired to adjust the collars l, SyT, 8 to cut bills of a slightly different width, a turn ofthe knob 12 in the drsircd direction will cause said collars to move longitudinally of the barrel .1, until the desired adjustment is secured, and the springs 36 will cause the cutting-disks 31 to remain firmly in contact with its cooperating edge of the collar, regardless of the direction of adjustmcut.

It has been found that bills of ditl'erent denon'iinations vary about one sixteenth of an inch in width, and should it become necessary to make the maximum amount of adjustment which such variation would rcquirc, this would necessitate the movement of collars 5 and 7 toward collar (3, to the extent of one sixteenth of an inch, and the movement of collars l and S in the same directions, to the extent. of one eighth of an inch, and this differential, movement is provided for in the lead of the threads upon rod 9.

\Ve claim, in a currency-cutting machine which may or may not be provided with signaturc-printing equipment, the following l. In a ,currency cutt ng machine, the combination with a suitable" frame, of a cylinder revolubly mounted in said frame, said cylinder consisting of a barrel, a plurality of collars upon said barrel, a portion of paper-clamping means i Cir ' respective collar.

composed.

' of collars mounted upon said barrel, all but inder revolubly mounted in said frame and which are longitudinally and differentially 1 adjustable thereon, "for the purpose setforth, means positioned within said barrel, connected to said collars and arranged to adjust the same simultaneously and differentially, means for revolving said cylinder,

tried by said cylinder, consisting of a plurality of radiallyniovablc pins projecting through said collars-and provided upon tlie'outer end with a disk adapted to clamp the paper between the same and the periphery of said collars, said pins being spring-held in 'the inward clamping. position, means actuated by said cylinder, revolving-means arranged to automatically move said pins outward to a nonclamping position, and rotary cutters revolubly mounted in said frame, cooperating with and ttrictionally driven by said collars, for the purpose of severing a sheet-of currency into the several bills of which it is 2. In a currency cutting machine, the combination with a suitable frame of a cylinder revolubly mounted in said frame, said cylinder consisting of a barrel, a plurality one of which are longittulinally and differentially adjustable upon said barrel, for the purpose set forth, means positioned within said barrel, connected to said collars, and arranged to adjust the same simultaneously and dilferentially, a crank arranged to revolve sa'id cylinder, paper-clamping means carried by said cylinder and arranged to be" automatically actuated by means connected to said crank, a cutting-disk arranged to cooperate with each of said collars and adapt ed to be frictionally driven thereby, and means automatically causing each of said disks to conform to the adjustment of its 3. In a currency cutting machine, the combination with a suitable irame ot a cylconsisting of a barrel having bearings at either end thereof, within said frame, means j for revolving said cylinder, five collars mounted upon said barrel, one of said collars being positioned centrally of said barrel and rigidly affixed thercto,the other of said collars being positioned, two upon either side of saidcentral collar and differl cntially adjustable toward the same, means positioned within said barrel and arranged to simultaneously effect such adjustment of said adjustable collars, means carried by said cylinder for engaging one edge of a sheet of bank notes, said engaging means being normally spring-held in the engaging position and automatically moved to the non engaging position by means actuated by said cylinderrevolving means, and means cooperating with said collars, frictionally end thereof within said ing said cylinder,

said severing operation,

driven thereby for severing said sheet into its respective notes.

4. In a currency cutting machine, the combination with a suitable frame, of :1 cylinder revo-lubly mounted in said frame, con,- sisting of a barrel hating bearings at either frame, five collars n'iounted upon said barrel,-one of said collars being )ositioned centrally of said ban rel and rigidly affixed thereto, said other collars being positioned, two -upon either side of said eentral'collar and differentially adjustable toward the same, means positioned within saidbarrcl arranged to simultaneously cause such adjustment ofv all of said adjustable collars, means for revolvmeans carried by said cylinder for engaging one edge ofa sheet of bank notes, said engaging means being normally spring-held in the engaging position and automatically moved to the non-engag ing position by means actuated by said cylinder-revolving means, revoluble disks v.cooperating with siiid collars and frictionally driven thereby, for severing said sheet into its respective notes, and means causing the removal of said notes the release of same by said engaging means.

5; In a currency cutting machine, combination with a suitable frame, of a 'cylinderrevolubly mounted in said ,frame, consisting of barrel endthereof within saidframe, a plurality of collars mounted upon said barrel, one ofsaid collars being positioned centrally of said barrel and rigidly atlixed thereto, the others of said collars being positionedupon either side of said central collar and differentially adjustable toward the same, means positioned within said barrel, arranged to simultaneously cause such, adjustment of all of said adjustable collars, means for revolving said cylinder,v revoluble disks coiiperating with said vcollars and frictionally driven thereby, for severing said sheet into its re- .spective notes, means-carried by said cylinder for engaging one edge of a sheet of bank notes and for causing the same to move with said cylinder during said. severing operation, means actuated by said cylinderrevolving means for causing the release of said engaging means, at the completion of a table attached to said frame having one edge thereof positioned in proximity to said cylinder, and from which said sheets are inder, means upon said table for preventing the buckling of said sheets as they are carried forward upon said cylinder, and means removing the several notesfrom said cylinder, after the completion of the severing operation; a i (5. An element of a currency-cutting machine consisting of the combination of a barfrom said collars after i the;

having bearings at either fed to said cyl rel adapted to be revolubly mounted within the frame of such machine, with collars mounted upon said barrel, a portion of which are longitudinally adjustable thereon,

adjusting means positionedwithin said bar'- rel and connected to said adjustable collars arranged to adjust the same simultaneously, and means operable to actuate said adjusting means. p

7. An element of a currency cutting-machine consisting of the combination of a barrel adapted to be revolubly mounted within the frame of such machine, with collars mounted upon said barrel, a portion of which are longitudinally adjustable thereon, adjusting means positioned within said barrel and connected to said adjustable collars arranged to adjust the same simultaneously and manipulating means positioned exteriorly to said barrel,- operable to actuate said adjusting means.

8. As an element of a currency-cutting machine, a cylinder consistingof a barrel adapted to be revolubly mounted within the frame of such machlne, collars mounted upon said barrel, a portion of which are longitudinally adjustable thereon, a plurality of spiders positioned within said barrel, each attached to one of said adjustable collars, and adjusting means operably and ad justably connected to said spiders operable to adjust said adjustable collars.

9. In a currency-cutting machine, the combination with a frame, of a cylinder con-' sisting of a barrel revolubly mounted within said frame, collars mounted upon said barrel a portion of which are longitudinally adjustable thereon for the purpose set forth, a spider attached to each of said adjustable collars, means passing through said cylinder operably en gaging each of said spiders, and operable to adjust said adjustable collars, means for revolving said cylinder, means actuated by said cylinder-revolving means arranged to clamp one edge of a sheet of bank-notes to the periphery of said cylinder during the severing operation and to automatically release same at the completion of said operation and means cooperating with and driven by said collars operating to sever la0. iheet of bank-notes into its component LESLIEH. COLBURN. FREDERICK F.- CLARKE.

VVit-nesses WM. B. GRIFFEN, V RAY S. CLARKE. 

